Archive for November, 2011

Vinyl

Sneak peek: Elvis Costello – Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook (2011)

We’ve all heard the lout in the back of the crowd, yelling “Freebird!” or some such annoying thing. On this tour, Elvis Costello brings those guys right on stage. You May Also Like: Elvis Costello’s ‘The Delivery Man’ Once Again Resisted the Urge to Look Back

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Queen + Paul Rodgers, "Say It’s Not True" (2007)

It’s been four years since Queen + Paul Rodgers issued this song in honor of World AIDS Day on Nov. 30, 2007. Time to put aside the problems many have had with Queen carrying on, and focus on the track itself. You May Also Like: Why You Should Give QueenRead More

Vinyl

Jason Adasiewicz's Sun Rooms – Spacer (2011)

One of the busiest players in Chicago’s jazz/improvised music scenes, the name of vibist and composer Jason Adasiewicz always seems to come up You May Also Like: Jason Stein Quartet – Lucille! (2017) Ivo Perelman, Mat Maneri, Mark Feldman, Jason Hwang – ‘Strings 1’ (2018)

Vinyl

Maya Beiser – Provenance (2010)

It’s amazing to look back at the Golden Age of Spain (9th to 15th century) with modern eyes. In this era, the idea of multiculturalism has become loaded with political import (both good and bad) You May Also Like: Lara Bello, “Sola” from Sikame (2017): One Track Mind Dálava –Read More

Ray Charles - Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles (2011)

Ray Charles – Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles (2011)

The range and scope of Ray Charles’ talent could never be contained within one genre, no matter its lasting joys.

Vinyl

Pat Martino – Undeniable (2011)

Pat Martino, along with George Benson, was the greatest jazz guitarist to spring from those righteous sounding organ trios of the 60s, and like Benson, Martino is still playing at a very, very high level. You May Also Like: Wes Montgomery – ‘The Complete Full House Recordings’ (2023)

Vinyl

One Track Mind: The Kinks, "Around the Dial" (1981)

On the way to work, I indulged in a little college-era nostalgia: Give The People What They Want by The Kinks. You May Also Like: In Defense of the Kinks’ Often-Overlooked Sophomore Album, ‘Kinda Kinks’

Vinyl

Forgotten series: El-P – High Water (2004)

High Water begins in a suspicious manner — not for a jazz album, necessarily, but for a jazz album issued via the Blue Series imprint of Thirsty Ear You May Also Like: Makaya McCraven – In The Moment (2016, Deluxe Edition)

Vinyl

Half Notes: Benji Kaplan – Meditações no Violão (2011)

The best time to listen to Benji Kaplan’s Meditações no Violão is on a quiet, Sunday morning as I’m doing now. An album of self-penned songs inspired by the Brazilian form he loved from childhood and studied intensely both at Brazil and his native NYC, the title is Portuguese forRead More

Vinyl

The Buckinghams – Time and Charges/Portraits (1967; 2011 reissue)

Born and bred in Chicago, Illinois, the Buckinghams were one of the most successful groups of 1967. The band started the year off on a banner note, as they netted a No. 1 hit single with their first single “Kind of a Drag” — distributed by the regional USA labelRead More